Program E(x)plory

Program E(x)plory

The High Tech Foundation – HTF (www.fzt.org.pl) was established in 2011 in response to the development of innovation market in Poland and to socio-economic challenges of the 21st century. Since 2011 HTF has successfully been supporting entrepreneurial activities, commercialization of innovative technologies and popularizing science in Poland and abroad.

The flagship project of HTF is E(x)plory Program (www.explory.pl) – the unprecedented event for young people who are passionate about science, as well as top universities and innovative business. E(x)plory is a great feast of science from all around the world, where young scientists meet their colleagues who share the same interests, and have opportunity to share their ideas and projects to academics and scholars, business representatives and new technology creators.

The Program consists of the following elements:

E(x)plory Science Fair – the largest science fair in Poland addressing youth (14-20 years of age) who want to create scientific projects, develop their interests and broaden their knowledge. Every year we face a twofold increase in applications and in the years 2011-2014 over 500 young scientists participated in the Fair, best of whom represented Poland in major foreign science fairs. The group of tutors involved in the Fair uses extensively E(x)plory Platform – an internet tool using a project approach to create new training or scientific content.

E(x)plory Science and Technology Festival – a three-day festival of science addressed at youth, students, scientists, innovative businesses, universities, NGOs and charities but also at general public. The Festival hosts National Finals of E(x)plory Science Fair.

E(x)plory Innovations Congress – an event where the paths of business, industry and science dedicated to innovation and technological development cross. It is a periodic, opinion-forming meeting of Polish and foreign participants, serving as a platform for experience exchange and discussion over new trends and the promotion of innovation.

E(x)plory Start-up Zone – implementing new solutions of technological start-ups in E(x)plory ecosystem through a number of events enabling technology transfer and experience exchange between start-ups and innovative businesses.

E(x)plory Technological Incubator – investment vehicle providing business mentoring and seed-financing for the projects of exclusively high commercial potential developed by young scientists. Mentoring allows HTF to provide the young people with scientific and development internships implemented in cooperation with leading businesses and academic institutes in Poland.